Ap 19056131737712

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) and Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp (9) tangles with one another during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) makes a save on a shot by Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) makes a save on a shot by Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (29) as Coyotes right wing Mario Kempe (29) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Jets 4-1.

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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) gives up a goal to Winnipeg Jets' Patrik Laine as Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) celebrates his goal against the Winnipeg Jets with Coyotes' Vinnie Hinostroza (13) as Jets center Bryan Little (18) skates past during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski, front, sends Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry (17) to the ice during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse, top, shouts as he celebrates his goal against the Winnipeg Jets with Coyotes center Derek Stepan (21), right wing Josh Archibald, second from left, and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse (67) competes with Florida Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk (13) for the puck as Panthers defenseman Ian McCoshen (12) watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Florida Panthers left wing Mike Hoffman (68) passes the puck in front of Arizona Coyotes right wing Mario Kempe (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) gets some help from defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23), stopping the puck on a shot by Florida Panthers center Vincent Trocheck (21) during overtime in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes won 4-3 in a shootout.

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Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers during the shootout in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes won 4-3.

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Florida Panthers left wing Mike Hoffman (68) celebrates his goal against the Arizona Coyotes with Jonathan Huberdeau (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes center Vinnie Hinostroza, right, celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with Coyotes defenseman Jordan Oesterle (82) during the shootout in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes won 4-3.

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An injured Florida Panthers goaltender James Reimer pauses on the ice during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. Reimer left the game.

Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) celebrates with defenseman Alex Goligoski (33), left wing Lawson Crouse (67) and right wing Richard Panik (14) after scoring a goal in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena.

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Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) celebrates with defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) after scoring a goal in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena.

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Vancouver Canucks center Adam Gaudette (88) gets upended on a kneeing penalty by Arizona Coyotes' Conor Garland as Coyotes center Christian Dvorak, left, watches the movement of the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes celebrate a second goal by center Brad Richardson (15) during a NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) shoots for a goal while being defended by Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton (27) during a NHL game at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) can't stop the goal by Vancouver Canucks left wing Tanner Pearson (70) during a NHL game at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15), right,, celebrates his goal with teammate defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) during a NHL game at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) celebrates his second goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of an NHL hockey game with Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk (17), center Clayton Keller (9) and center Nick Cousins (25) Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Vancouver Canucks center Tyler Motte (64) battles with Arizona Coyotes center Nick Cousins (25) for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) and Arizona center Vinnie Hinostroza (13) battle Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat (53) and right wing Nikolay Goldobin (77) for the puck during a NHL game at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) stands during the National Anthem before a NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Vancouver Canucks left wing Tanner Pearson (70) skates past after scoring a goal against Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) celebrates his hat trick with teammate defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) during a NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) scores a hat trick during a NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) battles Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher (51) for the puck during a NHL game at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) scores a hat trick during a NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn (2) battles Arizona Coyotes center Derek Stepan (21) for the puck during a NHL game at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) scores a hat trick during a NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) looks on during the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena.

Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) celebrates with center Vinnie Hinostroza (13) and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) after scoring his third goal on the game during the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena.

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Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Conor Garland (83) skates with the puck as Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alex Biega (55) defends during the second period at Gila River Arena.

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Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk (17) celebrates with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) after scoring a power play goal in the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena.

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Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Mario Kempe (29) skates with the puck as Vancouver Canucks center Tyler Motte (64) defends during the second period at Gila River Arena.

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Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Conor Garland (83) celebrates a goal by center Alex Galchenyuk (17) during the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena.

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Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) smiles as he celebrates his hat trick against the Vancouver Canucks with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson, right, sends the puck past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) and defenseman Alex Biega (55) for a goal, to earn a hat trick during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet watches his team during a NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes right wing Mario Kempe (29) and center Christian Dvorak (18) get into a little pushing and shoving match with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn (2) and center Jay Beagle (83) during a NHL game at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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??Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) battles Vancouver Canucks center Tyler Motte (64) for the puck during a NHL game at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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??Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) scores his fourth goal during a NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

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??Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Coyotes Vs Canucks

Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet watches his team during a NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena in Glendale on February 28.

Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) celebrates with center Vinnie Hinostroza (13) after scoring his fourth goal of the game during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena.

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??Matt Kartozian, Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Nhl Vancouver Canucks At Arizona Coyotes

Feb 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Richard Panik (14) skates with the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Gila River Arena.

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Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard (35) makes a save on a shot by Arizona Coyotes right wing Josh Archibald, right, during the second period Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with teammates on the bench during the first period Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Arizona Coyotes right wing Josh Archibald, second from right, celebrates his goal with Coyotes center Christian Dvorak (18) and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) as Detroit Red Wings right wing Luke Witkowski, left, and defenseman Niklas Kronwall, second from left, skate to the bench during the first period Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Detroit Red Wings center Andreas Athanasiou (72) skates with the puck in front of Arizona Coyotes right wing Mario Kempe (29) during the first period Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Detroit Red Wings center Andreas Athanasiou (72) skates with the puck in front of Arizona Coyotes right wing Mario Kempe (29) during the first period Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) complains to a referee after thinking he was tripped by Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) during the third period Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) celebrates a win against the Detroit Red Wings with defenseman Alex Goligoski, right, as time expires in the third period Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Calgary Flames Vs Arizona Coyotes

Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) and Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) and center Nick Cousins (25) watch the puck in the second period on Mar. 7, 2019, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz.

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??Ross D. Franklin, AP

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Los Angeles Kings left wing Brendan Leipsic (14) battles with Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes center Christian Dvorak celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes right wing Michael Grabner (40) celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Kings with Coyotes' Jakob Chychrun, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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??Ross D. Franklin, AP

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Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell (36) makes a save on a shot by Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Arizona Coyotes right wing Christian Fischer (36) tries to get off a shot as Los Angeles Kings defenseman Derek Forbort (24) applies pressure while Kings center Trevor Lewis, left, looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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Los Angeles Kings right wing Carl Grundstrom (38) scores a goal against Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper, top right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. For the Kings' Grundstrom it was his first NHL goal in his first game, but the Coyotes defeated the Kings 4-2.

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??Ross D. Franklin, AP

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Arizona Coyotes center Christian Dvorak, left, scores a goal against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell (36) as Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) slides along on the ice during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Kings 4-2.

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??Ross D. Franklin, AP

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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) celebrates a win against the Los Angeles Kings with Coyotes defenseman Jordan Oesterle (82) and defenseman Alex Goligoski, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Kings 4-2.

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??Ross D. Franklin, AP

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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) makes a save on a shot by Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis, back left, as Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse (67) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.

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??Ross D. Franklin, AP

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Arizona Coyotes right wing Michael Grabner (40) scores a goal against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Kings 4-2.

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??Ross D. Franklin, AP

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Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) trips Arizona Coyotes right wing Richard Panik (14) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Kings 4-2.

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Arizona Coyotes right wing Michael Grabner (40) scores a goal against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell (36) as referee Kendrick Nicholson (30) looks on during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Kings 4-2.

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??Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

Arizona Coyotes V Chicago Blackhawks

Richard Panik scored a goal in the first period of a game against the Blackhawks on March 11 at United Center.

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Arizona Coyotes V Chicago Blackhawks

Christian Fischer works with the puck in front of Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith during a game March 11 at the United Center.

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Arizona Coyotes V Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford looks into the net as a shot by Richard Panik slides in for a score on March 11 at the United Center.

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Arizona Coyotes V Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane pushes the puck past Coyotes goaltender Calvin Pickard for a goal in the second period of a game March 11 at the United Center.

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Arizona Coyotes V Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks left wing Brendan Perlini celebrates his second goal of the game against the Coyotes on March 11 at the United Center.

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??Jeff Roberson, AP

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Arizona Coyotes' Nick Cousins (25) and St. Louis Blues' Vince Dunn (29) skate past the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) denies St. Louis Blues' Pat Maroon (7) as Coyotes' Alex Goligoski (33) watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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Arizona Coyotes' Clayton Keller, right, handles the puck as St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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Arizona Coyotes' Nick Cousins controls the puck as St. Louis Blues' Vince Dunn (29) and goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) defend during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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Arizona Coyotes' Clayton Keller (9) brings the puck down the ice as St. Louis Blues' Jaden Schwartz (17) gives chase during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35), Jason Demers (55) and St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas (18) watch as the puck flies in the air during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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Ap 19072061590671

Arizona Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson, of Sweden, picks himself up off the ice after slamming into the boards while chasing a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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Ap 19072060281221

St. Louis Blues' Sammy Blais, top, and Arizona Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson, of Sweden, slam into the boards as they chase a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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Ap 19072058319829

St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas, left, looks to shoot past Arizona Coyotes' Ilya Lyubushkin, of Russia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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St. Louis Blues' Ryan O'Reilly, right, tries to get off a shot as Arizona Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson, of Sweden, defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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St. Louis Blues' Zach Sanford, right, gets tangled up with Arizona Coyotes' Alex Goligoski (33) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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St. Louis Blues' Ryan O'Reilly (90) reaches for the puck as Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) and Christian Dvorak (18) defend during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis.

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Arizona Coyotes' Vinnie Hinostroza, right, is congratulated by Brad Richardson after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis. The Coyotes won 3-1.

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Arizona Coyotes' Vinnie Hinostroza, center, is congratulated by teammates Michael Grabner, of Austria, and Brad Richardson (15) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in St. Louis. The Coyotes won 3-1.

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北京pk10彩票官网 www.bjn98.com When it took the Coyotes 21 games to notch a regulation win last season, there were some serious questions about Rick Tocchet’s claim to the club’s head-coaching position.

There were high expectations regarding Tocchet’s supposed brilliance in grooming young talent, but most support quickly evaporated with the Coyotes' struggles out of the gate?in 2017-18.

At that point, it would have been easy for Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka to make a rash decision about the coaching situation, Tocchet acknowledged, but the Coyotes have done little else but flourish since their early-season struggles last season.

“I think it’s important to just believe in what you’re doing,” Tocchet said. “John Chayka, I give him a lot of credit. It was a bad first half, a lot of ugliness and he didn’t waver. He came up to me and said, ‘Stick with what you’re doing.’ He could have easily said a lot of other things, but he didn’t.

“We stuck with it and the players stuck with it, too. Sometimes you don’t get the results right off the bat, and you’ve just got to stick with what you believe in.”

Tocchet had just taken his first head-coaching job since his two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2008-10. He was fired by the?Lightning?after posting an aggregate 53-69-14 record, but Tocchet went on to win a pair of Stanley Cups as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins before ultimately returning to the Coyotes, with whom he was a player from 1998-2000.

Now, almost 20 full months after being hired, Tocchet is the recipient of legitimate national buzz surrounding the Jack Adams Award, which is handed out annually to the NHL’s top coach. Since Feb. 4, 2018, the Coyotes have posted a record of 50-39-8.

Tocchet let out a grin when asked about his name being thrown around for the award.

“I honestly don’t even know what you’re talking about, man,” Tocchet said. “We’re a day-to-day team. … Tomorrow is another day, and we just have to treat it that way. We can’t even scoreboard watch. I like our team when we’re just narrowed in.”

Tocchet should get some serious consideration for the award?if the Coyotes are able to grab one of the two Western Conference wild-card spots. After a 2-0 win over the Calgary Flames on Friday, the Coyotes were three points off the playoff pace when NHL play finished Friday night.

There is little doubt that Tocchet has gotten the best out of what he's had at his disposal this season. The Coyotes are running away with the league-lead in man-games lost, a calculation of aggregate games missed by injured players, and yet the team is in?its most-productive stretch of the 2018-19 season.

? Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet reacts against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period on Mar. 5, 2019, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz.

The Coyotes have won six of their last seven games and seven of their last nine at home. They are 5-1 on a season-long, seven-game homestand which?wraps up Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings.

Most recently, they rebounded from a low-effort loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday to shut out a team that had outscored them by a margin of?18-4 in three prior meetings this season. That?statement win underscores the job Tocchet has done in terms of how the team handles adversity on a mental and emotional level.

“I get pretty emotional after a game when we don’t play well,” Tocchet said. “But the next day, we’ve done a nice job as a staff and with the players of resetting our minds. … I think that’s a key. I have to give my coaches a lot of credit, as well as the veteran (players). It’s something I want these guys to understand in that we’re in a position where, if we lay it on the line, we can live with it.

“I don’t want them to regret anything when the season is over, and I feel like most games we’re emptying the tank.”

One of those veteran players is forward Michael Grabner, who returned to the Coyotes lineup?Thursday after missing 41 games with an eye injury. Grabner had the unique perspective of watching Tocchet from the outside and noticed his ability to keep the ship afloat.

“I think they just kept the guys on track without changing a whole lot,” Grabner said after Thursday’s game. “We played the way we wanted to play regardless of who was in the lineup. … Obviously I wasn’t around that closely and was just watching on TV mostly, so I don’t really know what was going on in the locker room or in meetings, but from what I watched I saw everyone put in 100 percent and buy into the system and philosophy.

Even if the Coyotes are able to make the playoffs, Tocchet would face some steep competition for the award. Ex-Capitals head coach Barry Trotz and the New York Islanders have shocked the league with their turnaround season, Jon Cooper is leading a juggernaut Tampa Bay Lightning squad, and Bill Peters in Calgary will get some looks as well.

“I think he definitely deserves to be in the conversation (for the award)," Grabner said.?"We’ve had some key injuries and we’re right there to make the playoffs. Hopefully we can get in and get him some votes there.”

Den’s digest

The score: Coyotes 2, Flames 0.

The streak: W1.

The record: 33-29-5, 4th in Pacific.

The 82-game pace: 40-35-7, 87 points.

The position: 3 points back of the second wild card.

The player: Jakob Chychrun.

The moment: Clayton Keller’s goal at 10:18 of the first period.

The number: 24 —?The Coyotes are 24-1-1 when leading after two periods this season.

The quote: "I liked that we stuck to the game plan ... I liked that we had more guys invested in what we're trying to do. I don't think there were any passengers." —?Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet.

View from the press box: It cannot be overemphasized how vital these two points were to the Coyotes, whose competition in the the wild-card race simply refuses to lose. It’s a shame Flames goaltender Mike Smith didn’t pass to any players who could score.